Michelle Claire Gibson passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026 surrounded by her loving family and caregivers at Complete Care at Glendale, Naugatuck, CT.
She was born in Derby, CT on October 1, 1988 to Thomas Gibson and Maryann Birch. Michelle was the eldest of 2 daughters and embraced her role as big sister. She attended Oxford schools, graduated from Seymour High School and attended University of New Haven.
Michelle was known for her kind spirit, love of singing and strong heart. The first part of Michelle’s life was filled with soccer games, movie parties and family vacations. Traveling the East Coast in a minivan each summer, head buried in a book, out to Cape Cod, up to Maine, down to Virginia and with many stops in between. She enjoyed collecting treasures from all of her travels.
Michelle’s life changed forever after a car accident left her with a traumatic brain injury that she never fully recovered from. Though her injury altered the course of her life, it never diminished Michelle’s spirit and strength. She continued to enjoy music, sunbathing, visits from family and friends, the company of animals and listening to good books. She was a loving daughter, caring sister, niece and friend. Michelle will be greatly missed.
Michelle is survived by her devoted father, Thomas Gibson. Her mother, advocate and fierce protector, Maryann Birch. Her dedicated stepparents, Sandra Gibson and Joseph Birch; loving sister, Pamela Stern and caring stepsiblings Alex Birch, Kindra Rypka, Gordon Johnson, and Michael Johnson in addition to many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Complete Care at Glendale and AccentCare for their compassionate care of Michelle.
A Mass will be held in honor of Michelle’s life at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 5, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 733 Oxford Road, Oxford, CT 06478. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for anyone wishing to pay their respects. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut, 200 Day Hill Road, Ste.250, Windsor, CT 06095.
The Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 W. Church St. Seymour, CT 06483 has been entrusted with her arrangements. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit us at www.hullfh.com.